In January 2018 there were 1,303,683 Coloradans enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) and 77,020 enrolled in
(CHP+).
|
|
Upcoming Events and Helpful Resources
|
| Health First Colorado videos for use in waiting rooms and other areas members visit are available for download on our website. |
New to PEAK or Need a Refresher?
The Intro to PEAK and Application Walk-Through recorded webinars are available anytime. For more information and trainings, visit the
PEAK Outreach Initiative website.
|
Public Rule Review Opportunities
Anyone interested in a one-on-one discussion with Department staff about upcoming rules is invited to attend the Department's
Public Rule Review Meeting. Information is available on the
Public Rule Review Meetings web page.
For more information, or to be added to the Medical Services Board email distribution list, please contact
Chris Sykes.
|
Employment Opportunities
Applying for state government jobs is easy. Applications are electronic, you will receive updates, and you do not need to answer any written questions until it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications.
Check out the
website for State of Colorado jobs including the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing jobs.
|
|
 |
|
Welcome to the February 2018 edition of At a Glance!
Thank you for your interest!
|
|
Resource limits have increased for the following programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB), Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB), Qualified Individuals (QI-1), and Low Income Subsidy (LIS).
The new 2018 limits and background information are in
|
January 10, 2018, marked the first day of the second session of the 71st General Assembly. Per the state Constitution, the Colorado legislature is in session no more than 120 days, adjourning this year on May 9, 2018.
Department Legislation
The Department has five bills on its legislative agenda this session, including:
- Redesign of Children's Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) Waiver
- Conflict-free Case Management (CFCM) for Single-Entry Points
- Cost Savings through Transition Services & Community Living
- Align Managed Care Statute with Federal Regulations
- Remove Outdated Waiver References from Statute--introduced as SB18-093, this bill will remove references to the Persons Living with AIDS Waiver from statute.
- Status: Passed in Senate and House Public Health & Human Services Committee. Moving to House floor for second reading, date to be determined.
|
|
|
Partnerships to Improve Population Health
|
Home and Community-Based Settings Final Rule Frequently
Asked Questions
|
The Department issued guidance regarding the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Final Rule on January 31, 2018.
In 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a rule requiring HCBS to be provided in settings that meet certain criteria, ensuring that HCBS participants have access to the benefits of community living and live and receive services in integrated, non-institutional settings.
The Department has conducted implementation activities including discussing the Settings Final Rule with advocates, providers, and other stakeholders; working with a contractor and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to conduct site visits at provider sites; and reviewing public comments.
|
|
Proposed Case Management Agency and Case Manager Qualifications
|
The Department is requesting feedback from stakeholders regarding proposed Case Management Agency and Case Manager qualifications.
In response to a federal rule requiring the separation of case management from service delivery functions to mitigate conflict of interest for services provided under HCBS waivers, the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 17-1343. HB 17-1343 requires the Department to implement Conflict Free Case Management for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Colorado and to develop qualifications for Case Management Agency and Case Manager as part of implementation.
In 2017, the Department contracted with Navigant Consulting, Inc. to conduct research on other states qualifications for Case Management Agency and Case Manager in HCBS waivers. Upon their research, Navigant provided recommendations to the Department.
In November 2017, Navigant and the Department conducted stakeholder engagement meetings (f
our in-person and one webinar) throughout the state to present the recommended Case Management Agency and Case Manager qualifications. Proposed qualifications were developed based on feedback from stakeholders, and the Department is asking for additional feedback on the proposed final draft qualifications.
|
|
|
Delivery Systems Innovation
|
|
During the No Wrong Door pilot project, four regional pilot sites are using state contract funding to improve interagency collaboration and improve access to long-term services and supports to older adults and people with disabilities.
But what happens after the pilot period funding ends? How will these four regions sustain the efficient processes and collaborative efforts that they have created?
Although the pilot project aims to produce results for the immediate future, long-term sustainability is being considered.
Nonprofit Impact, the Department's technical assistance contractor for the No Wrong Door project, has presented four different revenue models for the pilot sites and the No Wrong Door Project Team to consider for long-term sustainability. The project team includes representatives from the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Colorado Department of Human Services, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. These models include but are not limited to:
1) reallocation of existing funding;
2) Medicaid reimbursement;
3) fee-for-service, and/or;
4) a monthly dues model.
|
| State Innovation Model Helps Practices Improve Patient Care |
The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) closed its third practice application period for the final practice cohort that starts its work this summer to integrate behavioral and physical health and gain/hone skills to succeed in alternative payment models. The first cohort of SIM practices will complete its work March 30, and the team continues to publish stories about how integrated care improves health outcomes and reduces or avoids healthcare costs.
Listen to a recent podcast with a SIM cohort-1 care team and a patient to hear how SIM practices are testing the theories of healthcare reform across the state and bringing the concepts of patient-centered care full-circle as illustrated in the second installment of the
SIM blog.
|
State Innovation Model Releases Electronic Clinical Quality Measures Solution; Recruits for Data Governance Committee
|
The State Innovation Model (SIM) team will start testing a service that will help SIM practices extract electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) from electronic health records in a small pilot starting in April and May. The service will be rolled out to all SIM practices this summer, and will ultimately be available to all Colorado practices.
Details on the timeline for that release will be forthcoming. The SIM investment creates a technical and operational infrastructure that will extract eCQMs from electronic health records so they can be reported to different approved entities, a task that is frequently cited as a barrier to success with alternative payment models. It lays the foundation for ongoing state efforts and will help reduce administrative burden for SIM practices.
To ensure success, the SIM team is assembling a data governance committee that will create an infrastructure for eCQM data use. Apply by March 15.
|
|
|
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing complies with applicable federal and state civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, political beliefs, or disability. Learn more about our Nondiscrimination Policy.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).
CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).
|
|
|
|
At a Glance
